Recording/reproducing apparatus having buffer memory for preventing discontinuity in recording/reproducing operations and method for same

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for alternately reproducing data from first and second recording media in which data from a first recording medium is reproduced and stored in a first memory until the amount of data accumulated in the first memory reaches a predetermined value. Then, the data reading operation from the first recording medium is stopped and, simultaneously, a second recording medium is exchanged for the first recording medium and data reprodaction from the second recording medium commences, the data being stored in a second memory.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/271,431, filed Jul. 7,1994 U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,875.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an optical disc device, and more particularly,to a magneto-optical disc device which records and/or reproduces thedesired data on the disc shaped recording medium in utilizing thethermal magnetic recording method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, in a magneto-optical disc device which is capable ofrecording and/or reproducing the desired data in utilizing the thermalmagnetic recording method, a device has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No.5,214,631 of May 25, 1993, in which the discontinuity of data can beeffectively avoided by outputting the reproduced audio data through alarge capacity memory.

This type of optical disc device records the audio data in sector unitconsisting of the fixed blocks, and in reproduction, reproduces audiodata in this sector unit.

In the case of reproducing the audio data, the optical disc devicestores successively reproduced audio data in the memory, while judgingwhether the audio data is reproduced correctly or not. If the audio datacannot be reproduced correctly, the optical disc device reproduces againin sector unit and rewrites the audio data in the memory.

For example, when the track jump occurs by vibration, etc. inreproducing and the audio data cannot be reproduced correctly, theoptical disc device moves an optical pick up to the place where thetrack jump occurred, and then reproduces and reads the audio data oncemore to store in the memory.

The optical disc device is capable of reproducing audio data correctlyeven in the case where the track jump occurs by vibration, etc.

Furthermore, at the time of reproduction, the optical disc devicecontrols the overall function in order that the transmission speed ofaudio data to be stored in the memory becomes faster than the datatransmission speed of audio data to be outputted from the memory. Thus,the optical disc device controls in order that the data having the fixedsize is stored in the memory, so that sound break does not occur.

With this arrangement, the data previously stored in the memory is readuntil the optical pick up returns to the address where the track lumpoccurred, even when the track lump occurs by vibration, etc., so thatthe optical disc device can effectively avoid the discontinuity of data,and can reproduce the continuous audio signals.

On the other hand, in recording, the optical disc device processes audiodata per sector in utilizing this memory, and simultaneously controlsthe overall function in order that the transmission speed of audio datato be inputted or outputted to or from the memory becomes the fixedtransmission speed.

In recording, if the trouble such as track jump occurs, the optical discdevice performs re-write processing, and effectively avoids the troublein order that the discontinuity of data does not occur on the audio datato be recorded on the optical disc.

Hereupon, in this type of optical disc device, there are devices capableof enjoying singing the desired song accompanied by an orchestra, etc.by reproducing the optical disc device recorded the orchestraaccompaniment.

With this arrangement, if the voice sang with the accompaniment can becombined with this accompaniment and recorded on the optical disc, theusability of this type of optical disc device can be further improved.

At this point, if this combined voice can be recorded on the opticaldisc recorded the accompaniment, the overall construction can besimplified, and thereby considered to be convenient.

This invention has been done considering the above points and isproposing an optical disc device which is capable of recording thedesired data as outputting the desired reproduction data simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of the invention is to provide amethod and apparatus for reproducing data from first and secondrecording media by turns, comprising the steps of: reproducing data fromthe first recording medium and storing it in a first storage means;

reading the data from the first storage means;

comparing the amount of data accumulated in the first storage means witha predetermined value and halting the data reading from the firstrecording medium and simultaneously exchanging the first recording forthe second recording medium when the data accumulated in the firststorage means reaches the predetermined value; reproducing data from thesecond recording medium responsive to data input at an external datainput means; storing the data reproduced from the second recordingmedium in the second storage means; and exchanging the second recordingmedium for the first recording medium.

The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts aredesignated by like reference numerals or characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an optical disc device according toone embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an optical disc for reproductiononly;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a recordable and reproducibleoptical disc;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a hybrid optical disc;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow charts for the explanation of the function ofan optical disc device;

FIGS. 6A to 6D are signal waveform charts for the explanation of thefunction of a memory for reproduction and recording;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the practical application;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an optical disc device according tothe second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the exchange of optical discs;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for the explanation of its function;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a part of the optical disc deviceaccording to the other embodiment to FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for the explanation of its function;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an optical disc device according tothe third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for the explanation of its function;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an optical disc device according tothe other embodiment to FIG. 13; and

FIG. 16 is a flow chart for the explanation of its function.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings:

In FIG. 1, 1 generally shows an optical disc device which can reproducethree kinds of optical discs.

More specifically, as the optical disc applying this optical disc device1, there are optical disc for reproduction only, recordable andreproducible magneto-optical disc and moreover, hybrid optical discwhich is recordable and reproducible only for a part of data recordingarea.

The optical disc for reproduction only is formed by pits similar tothose of the compact disc, and as shown in FIG. 2, information area isdivided into lead-in area, program area and lead-out area.

In the optical disc for reproduction only, the audio data is previouslyrecorded on this program area, and the TOC (Table of Contents)information which is the control data of this audio data and the controldata of the optical disc itself is recorded in the lead-in area.

In the optical disc device, in case of reproducing the optical disc forreproduction only, after control data of lead-in area is reproduced andthe program number and recording position, etc. are confirmed, thedesired performance can be reproduced depending upon the control data.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, recordable and/or reproducibleoptical disc divides information area into lead-in area, recordable areaand lead-out area. Pits are formed in the lead-in area and lead-out areaupon pre-formatting.

Furthermore, thermal magnetic recordable Pre-groove is previously formedin the recordable area. The recordable area is divided into the U-TOC(User-Table of Contents) area and the program area. The desired data canbe thermal magnetic recorded in this program area and the control dataof data recorded in this program area (i.e., in the case of audio data,it comprises record starting position data, etc.) can be recorded in theU-TOC area.

On the other hand, this optical disc records the control data of theoptical disc itself (i.e., the data representing type of optical discand the position data of the U-TOC area, etc.) in the lead-in area.

Thus, in the case of recording and reproducing this recordable andreproducible optical disc, after reproducing the control data uponaccessing to lead-in area, the optical disc device 1 sets the quantityof light of the optical beam, etc. depending upon this control data andfurther reproduces the U-TOC area and the control data.

Furthermore, when the optical disc device reproduces the control data ofU-TOC area, reproduces program area corresponding to the user'sselective operation, and further records the desired audio data in thevacant area of program area and updates the U-TOC area as occasiondemands.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, in the hybrid optical disc, theinformation area is divided into lead-in area, program area, recordablearea and lead-out area. Lead-in area, program area and lead-out area areformed by pre-formatted pits similar to an optical disc for reproductiononly. Also, thermal magnetic recordable pre-groove is previously formedin recordable area similar to the recordable and reproducible opticaldisc.

Furthermore, the hybrid optical disc similar to those of the recordableand reproducible optical disc, divides the recordable area into U-TOCarea and program area.

The hybrid optical disc assigns and records the audio data forreproduction only in the program area formed after pre-formatted, andthe audio data which the user desires can be recorded and reproduced inthe program area of recordable area.

Accordingly, when the hybrid optical disc is loaded and the useroperates the operation key, the optical disc device 1 shifts thereproducing function to reproduce the audio data from this reproductiononly program area and the recording function to record the audio data inthe program area of recordable area alternately in the fixed cycle, andthus, while reproducing the optical disc 2, audio signal to be inputtedsuccessively can be recorded at the same time.

More specifically, the optical disc device 1 loads the optical disc 2 ona spindle motor 3 and by driving this spindle motor 3 drives the opticaldisc 2 to rotate under the condition of the constant linear velocity.

Under the above condition, the optical disc device 1 irradiates theoptical beam from the optical head 4 and simultaneously impresses thefixed modulated magnetic field on the irradiating position of theoptical disc by driving a magnetic head 5, and thus, the desired datacan be thermal magnetic recorded on the optical disc 2 by applying themethod of thermal magnetic recording.

At this point, the optical disc device 1 receives the reflection lightof the optical beam at the optical head 4 and outputs the lightreceiving result to a servo circuit 7 via a RF amplifier 6.

The servo circuit 7 focus controls and tracking controls the two-axescoil of the optical disc based on the light receiving result, andfurther drives an optical head 4 by driving a sled motor 8 so as totransfer the optical head 4 to the prescribed recording track, and theaudio data can be recorded on the desired area.

At the time of reproduction, the optical disc device 1 decreases thequantity of light of optical beam to be emitted from the optical head 4,and detects the rotating angle of the reflection light of this opticalbeam in utilizing the Kerr effective, so as to detect the magnetizingdirection at the optical head 4.

With this arrangement, the optical disc device 1 can reproduce audiodata which is thermal magnetic recorded depending upon the output signalof the optical head 4.

On the other hand, in case of reproducing the reproduction only area,the optical disc device 1 detects the change of light quantity ofreflection light at the optical head 4 and thus, the audio data recordedby forming the pit can be reproduced.

At this point, the optical disc device 1 executes the recording andreproducing process by being controlled by a system controller 10.

More specifically, the system controller 10 shifts the overall functionby outputting control code corresponding to the operation of a key 11and displays function mode, etc. on the display device 12 according todemand.

The pre-groove is previously wobbled with the predetermined cycle, andby FM modulating this wobbling, the position information (address) isrecorded.

Furthermore, at the time of recording and reproducing, the systemcontroller 10 detects the position information at an address decoder 13based on the output signal of the optical head 4. The system controller10 confirms the recording and reproducing position in accordance withthe position information, and for example, if errors, such as track jumpoccurs, controls the overall function to make up for the recording andreproducing data damaged by the error.

In the case of reproducing the reproduction only area, the optical discdevice 1 detects the reproducing position information at the addressdecoder 13 by applying the similar method to those of the compact discplayer in place of the pre-groove.

The recording system of the optical disc device 1 being controlled bythe system controller 10 inputs audio signal S1 to an analog-to-digitalconverter (A/D) 15 via an input terminal 9.

An encoder 16 audio compression processes the digital audio signaloutputted from the analog-to-digital converter 15 according to theprescribed format and inputs the audio compression processed audio datato a memory 18 via a memory controller 17.

This memory 18 is formed of a large capacity memory which is formed of arandom access memory and is capable of storing the audio data for theprescribed period after converting to audio signal S1. The optical discdevice 1 records the audio data stored in this memory 18 in the opticaldisc 2.

At this point, an encoder 16 outputs the audio data at the datatransmission speed of 0.3 [Mbit/s] to the memory 18 and the memory 18outputs the audio data at the data transmission speed of 1.4 [Mbit/s].

With this arrangement, the optical disc device 1 controls the overallfunction in order that the transmission speed of audio data to beoutputted from the memory 18 becomes faster as compared with thetransmission speed of audio data to be stored in the memory 18, andfurthermore, it stops the recording function temporarily if the audiodata stored in the memory 18 becomes below the prescribed value.

Thus, the optical disc device 1 intermittently records the data beingcontinuously inputted in the optical disc 2 in utilizing a largecapacity memory as a buffer memory.

Furthermore, the optical disc device 1 stops the recording functionimmediately at the time when errors, such as track jump, occurs and thenreturns to the previous recording track and records the audio dataagain, and thus performs rewrite within the range that a capacity of thememory 18 allows.

Thus, even in the case where errors, such as track jump occurs, theoptical disc device 1 is able to start the recording function againwithout stopping inputting the audio signal S1. Therefore, the trackjump is effectively avoided so that continuous audio signal can berecorded.

The audio data outputted from the memory 18 via the memory controller 17is inputted to an encoder decoder 14 which performs coding process, EFM(Eight Fourteen Modulation) coding, etc. for correcting errors on theaudio data and converts the audio data to the prescribed recordingsignal and outputs this recording signal to a head driving circuit 20.

The head driving circuit 20 drives the magnetic head 5 based on thisrecording signal and thus, forms the modulated magnetic field at theirradiating position of optical beam corresponding to the recordingdata.

The optical disc device 1 can thermal magnetic records the desired audiodata.

On the other hand, the reproduction system amplifies and outputs thereproducing signal of the optical head 4 at the RF amplifier 6 and theencoder decoder 14 demodulates the reproducing signal to the binarycoded data and corrects errors and demodulates the audio data.

The memory 22 is formed of a large capacity memory similar to that ofthe memory 18, and at the time of reproduction, selectively stores andoutputs the audio data reproduced correctly via the memory controller 23on the output data of the encoder decoder 15.

At this point, whereas the optical disc device 1 stores the audio dataintermittently in this memory 22 at the data transmission speed of 1.4[Mbit/s] by driving the optical head 4 and the encoder decoder 19, thememory 22 outputs the audio data at the data transmission speed of 0.3[Mbit/s].

With this arrangement, the optical disc device 1 controls the overallfunction in order that the transmission speed of reproducing data to beinputted to the memory 22 becomes faster than the output data of thememory 22 in the same manner as in the case of recording system; andfurthermore, when the volume of data stored in the memory 22 becomesover the prescribed volume, it stops the reproducing functiontemporarily.

Furthermore, the optical disc device 1 stops reproducing functionimmediately at the time when errors, such as track jump occurs, andreturns to the previous reproducing position and starts reproducingfunction again in the same manner as those of the recording and readretries within the limits of capacity of the memory 22 allows.

In the optical disc device 1, even in the case where errors, such astrack lump occurs, reproducing function can be restarted withoutinterrupting the output of audio signal S2 as same as at the time ofrecording, and thus, track jump can be effectively avoided andcontinuous audio signal can be reproduced.

More specifically, at the time of reproduction, a decoder 24 audioexpansion processes the audio data and reproduces digital audio signalwhich is audio compression processed at the time of recording.

A digital-to-analog converter (D/A) 25 forms audio signal S2 byconverting digital audio signal to be outputted from the decoder 24 toanalog signal and outputs this audio signal S2 from an output terminal26.

Thus, the optical disc device 1 thermal records the audio signal S1 tobe successively inputted on the optical disc 2 at the recording mode,and at the reproducing mode, it can reproduce and output the audio datarecorded in the optical disc 2.

If the user selectively operates the key 11, the system controller 10performs the processing procedure as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B andreproduces the optical disc 2; and at this point, if the user selectsboth the reproducing mode and the recording mode under the conditionthat the hybrid optical disc 2 is loaded, shifts the overall function inthe fixed cycle and thus, reproduces and outputs the audio data recordedon the optical disc 2, and simultaneously, records the audio signal tobe inputted successively on the optical disc 2.

When the operation key to start is pressed, the system controller 10proceeds from the step SP1 to the step SP2 and sends the control code tothe servo circuit 7 and thus drives the sled motor 8 and transfers theoptical head 4 to the desired recordable recording track.

Then, the system controller 10 proceeds to the step SP3 and here outputsthe control code to the servo circuit 7, and after starting thereproduction of audio data by driving the optical head 4 on theperformance selected by the user, starts to store the audio data in thememory at the next step SP4.

Then, the system controller 10 proceeds to the step SP5 and outputs thecontrol code to the memory controller 23 and starts to output the audiodata from the memory 22 and thus, the optical disc device outputsreproducing signal of the optical disc 2 from the terminal 26.

Accordingly, when the reproduction of audio data is started, the systemcontroller proceeds to step SP6 and judges whether the user also selectsthe recording mode or not.

At this point, since a negative result is obtained if the user selectsonly the reproducing mode, the system controller 10 proceeds to the stepSP7 and by detecting the data volume of the memory 22, judges whetherthe audio data exceeding the fixed volume is stored in the memory 22 ornot.

Here, the memory 22 inputs and outputs the audio data at the datatransmission speed of 1.4 [Mbit/s] and 0.3 [Mbit/s] respectively, andthe result is obtained at the step SP7 immediately after thereproduction starts and the system controller 10 returns to the stepSP3.

Thus, the system controller 10 performs the processing of step SP3 onthe audio data of the following sectors.

With this arrangement, the system controller 10 reproduces theprocessing steps of SP3-SP4-SP5-SP6-SP7-SP3 repeatedly per sector andoutputs the reproduced audio data via the memory 22.

In case of repeating this processing steps, if the system controller 10detects the abnormality, such as track jump, it stops the reproducingfunction by issuing the control code to the optical head 4, and bymaking the optical head 4 to return to the previous reproducing positionby driving the sled motor 8, repeats read retry, and thus, the soundbreak can be effectively avoided.

On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained at the step SP7,the system controller 10 proceeds to the step SP8 and stops to drive theoptical head 4 and thus, the reproduction of optical disc 2 is stopped.

Then, the system controller 10 proceeds to the step SP9 and reads theaudio data of the following sectors from the memory 22 and outputs tothe decoder 24, and at the next step SP10, judges whether the datavolume of the memory 22 drops below the fixed volume or not.

In this case, when a negative result is obtained, the system controller10 returns to the step SP9 and outputs the audio data of the followingsector to the decoder 24.

With this arrangement, the system controller 10 repeats the processingsteps of SP9-SP10-SP9 and stops the reproducing function of the opticaldisc 2 and outputs the audio data continuously from the memory 22 andthe data volume of audio data stored in the memory 22 gradually drops.

Thus, when the system controller 10 repeats the processing stepsSP9-SP10-SP9, an affirmative result is obtained at the step SP10, andthe system controller 10 proceeds to the step SP11.

At this point, the system controller 10 restarts the optical head 4 byissuing the control code to the servo circuit 7, and then proceeds tothe step SP12 and transfers the optical head 4 to the next reproducingarea and returns to the step SP3.

Thus, the optical disc device 1 is able to reproduce the continuousaudio data by driving the optical head 4 intermittently.

With this arrangement, in the memory 22 for reproducing data, as shownin FIG. 6A, the data volume of audio data changes according to theshifting of reproducing function.

The optical disc device 1 drives the optical head 4 intermittentlycorresponding to this data volume change and performs the reproducingfunction (FIG. 6B).

On the other hand, in the case where the user also operates theoperation key of recording mode combined, an affirmative result isobtained at the step SP6, and the system controller 10 proceeds to thestep SP14.

At this point, the system controller 10 issues the control code to therecording system, such as memory controller 17 and thus, converts audiosignal inputted through the terminal 9 at the encoder 16 and starts tostore in the memory 18.

Then, the system controller 10 proceeds to the step SP15 and judgeswhether the reproducing function of audio data from the optical disc 2is stopped temporarily or not, and if a negative result is obtained atthis point, proceeds to the step SP16.

At this point, the system controller 10 judges whether the data volumeof the memory 22 increased over the fixed value or not and if a negativeresult is obtained, returns to the step SP3.

With this arrangement, the system controller 10 repeats the loop ofsteps SP3-SP4-SP5-SP6-SP14-SP15-SP16-SP3 within the limit that the audiodata exceeding the fixed value will not be stored in the memory 22, andthus outputs the reproduced audio data from the terminal 26 for a periodfrom the time point t0 to t1 and simultaneously, stores the audio datato be inputted through the terminal 9 in the memory 18 (FIG. 6C).

On the other hand, if the audio data is stored over the fixed value inthe memory 22, a positive result is obtained at the step SP16, and thesystem controller 10 proceeds to the step SP17 and performs theprocessing similar to that of the step SP8 and step SP9 described aboveand after stopping the reproducing function, proceeds to the step SP18.

At this point, the system controller judges whether the audio data ofover the fixed value is stored or not, and if a negative result isobtained, proceeds to the step SP19.

At this point, the system controller 10 transfers the optical head 4 tothe unrecorded area of recordable area by driving the sled motor 8, andat after shifting the recording system to the condition for standing bythe recording at the step SP20, returns to the step SP5.

Then, the system controller 10 performs the processing procedure ofsteps SP5-SP6-SP14-SP15 and when an affirmative result is obtained atthe step SP15, the system controller 10 proceeds to the step SP18.

With this arrangement, the system controller performs the processingprocedure of steps SP19-SP20 and returns to the step SP5, and repeatsthe processing procedure of steps SP5-SP6-SP14-SP15-SP18-SP19-SP20 untilthe audio data of over the fixed value is stored in the memory 18.

Thus, in the optical disc device 1, the recording and reproducingfunction for the optical disc 2 is stopped for a period of time from thetime point t1 till the time point t2, over the fixed value audio data isstored in the memory 18. The optical head 4 is controlled to thecondition for standing by within the recordable read.

Then, the audio data stored in the memory 22 is outputted andsimultaneously, the audio data inputted successively is stored in thememory 18.

Accordingly, if the above processing procedure is repeated, the datavolume of the memory 18 increases over the fixed value, and the systemcontroller 10 obtains an affirmative result at the step SP18 andproceeds to the step SP21.

At this point, the system controller 10 issues the control code to theservo circuit 7, and by rising the optical head 4 to the recording mode,shifts the quantity of light of the optical beam to the quantity oflight at the time of recording. At the next step SP22, audio data storedin the memory 18 is outputted to the encoder decoder 14.

Then the system controller 10 proceeds to the step SP23 and issues thecontrol code to the recording system, and starts recording the audiodata and proceeds to the step SP24.

At this point, the system controller 10 judges whether the data volumeof memory 18 decreased below the fixed value or not, and in this case, anegative result is obtained, returns to the step SP22.

With this arrangement, the system controller 10 repeats the processingprocedure of steps SP22-SP23-SP24-SP22 when the data volume of thememory 18 becomes over the fixed value at the time point t2 on thecondition that the recording and reproducing functions for the opticaldisc 2 stop, and thus records audio data of the memory 18 on the opticaldisc 2.

Furthermore, since an affirmative result is obtained at the step SP24when the data volume of the memory 18 becomes below the fixed valueafter repeating the above processing procedure, the system controller 10switches the laser power to the power in reproducing at step SP25, andreturns to the step SP11.

With this arrangement, the system controller 10 records audio data ofthe memory 18 on the optical disc 2 during a period of time from thetime point t2 to the time point t3 at which the data volume of thememory 18 falls below the fixed value (FIG. 6D), and when the datavolume of the memory 18 becomes below the fixed value, repeats theprocessing procedure of steps SP3-SP4-SP5-SP6-SP7-SP3.

The optical disc device 1 repeats recording and reproducing functionsalternately for the optical disc 2 in utilizing memories 18 and 22 asthe buffer memory and is capable of recording and reproducing continuousaudio signal thus effectively avoiding the track jump.

In case of repeating these recording and reproducing functionsalternately, the optical disc device 1 selects capacities of memories 18and 22 to the capacity sufficiently large enough and simultaneously,selects the data volume b2 of the memory 18, which is shifted to therecording function at first, to the fixed value. Thus, the sound breakis effectively avoided and the recording and reproducing functions isrepeated alternately having the prescribed standing by time between.

The optical disc device 1 selects the timing of recording andreproducing functions in order that the optical disc 2 does not performthe recording and reproducing functions at the same time, andfurthermore, in utilizing the prescribed waiting time, can seek theoptical head 4 between the reproducing position and the recordingposition.

Furthermore, at this point, the optical disc device 1 can perform therecording and reproducing functions in utilizing memories 18 and 22provided in order to effectively avoid the discontinuation of datacaused by track jump, etc., thereby enabling the overall function tosimplify.

Also, by repeating the recording and reproducing processing alternately,the construction from the optical head 4 to the encoder decoder 14 canbe constructed with one system so that the general construction can besimplified.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, in the optical disc device 1, by repeating theso-called self recording and reproducing function, the audio signaluttered by the user can be recorded on the optical disc 2 with theaccompaniment while listening to the accompaniment.

In this case, the accompaniment recorded in the reproduction only areaof the optical disc 2 is reproduced at the optical disc device 1 and thereproduction output is amplified at an amplifier 30 and outputted from aspeaker 31. Furthermore, voice signal inputted from a mike 32 isamplified at an amplifier 33 and combined with the reproduction outputand inputted to the input terminal 9 of the optical disc device, therebyrecording in the recording area on the optical disc 2. Therefore, theaudio signal, which has been recorded in the area for reproduction onlyon the optical disc 2, can be recorded in the recording area of theoptical disc 2 with voice signal.

On the other hand, even when the reproducing function starts still in astate of recording after about thirty minutes has been elapsed since therecording of radio broadcasting is started, the contents of therecording program can be listened from the beginning although therecorded program has not been completed, and thus, it can be used asso-called time shifting machine.

In the above embodiment, the input terminal 9 is connected through theline-out terminal of external device, such as a radio, from theexternal, so as to input the audio data.

According to the foregoing construction, the audio data is recorded andreproduced by shifting the transmission speed via the memory with alarge capacity, and by repeating the recording and reproducing functionsalternately, continuous audio signal is inputted and recorded on theoptical disc while continuously outputting the reproduction result of apiece of optical disc.

The second embodiment is shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 8, an optical disc device 40 records the position informationdetected at a receiver 42 on the prescribed optical disc.

More specifically, the optical disc device 40 forms the audio appliancefor the vehicle and the receiver 42 receives the prescribed standardsignal outputted from a plurality of man-made satellites via an antenna43, and detects the present position depending upon the received result.

Furthermore, the receiver 42 outputs the position information comprisingthe detection result of present position with time information to showthe position detected time in the fixed cycle, and the optical discdevice 40 compresses the information data to store in the memory 18.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical disc device 1 storesand holds two optical discs 2A and 2B in the prescribed cartridge andattaches the optical disc 2A selected by the user to the spindle motor 3to make it recordable and reproducible, and the optical disc 2A isformed of the reproduction only optical disc on which audio signal isrecorded, and the optical disc 2B is formed of recordable andreproducible optical disc which can record the position information.

The optical disc device 1 controls the overall function at the systemcontroller 41 and in the case where the user selects the reproductiononly optical disc 2A on which audio signal is recorded, reproduces thisoptical disc 2A corresponding to the user's operation, and outputs theresulting audio signal from the terminal 26.

And thus, in the optical disc device 1, audio signal of the optical disc2A can be listened through the prescribed audio appliance.

On the other hand, in the case where the user assigns to reproduce thisoptical disc 2A by operating the prescribed key, and simultaneouslyassigns to record the position information, the system controller 41, byexecuting the processing procedure as shown in FIG. 10, outputs audiosignal of the optical disc 2A and simultaneously, records the positioninformation on the recordable and reproducible optical disc 2B.

More specifically, the system controller 41 proceeds from the step SP30to the step SP31 and here, sends the control code to the reproducingsystem and starts reproducing the optical disc 2A and stores theresulting audio data in the memory 22 at the following step SP32.

At the same time, the system controller 41 proceeds from the step SP30to the step SP33 and at the time when the position information isdetected by controlling the receiver 42, records this positioninformation on the memory 18 at the next step SP34 and proceeds to thestep SP35.

At this point, the system controller 41 judges whether the data volumeof the memory 22 becomes under the fixed value or not, and if a negativeresult is obtained here, returns to the step SP31 and SP33.

The optical disc device 1 stores the audio data which is enough for theaudio signal to be outputted from the terminal 26 does not break offduring a period of time, after exchanging the optical disc 2A for theoptical disc 2B and recording the position information stored in thememory 18 on the optical disc 2B, till the reproduction of optical disc2A starts again after exchanging the optical disc 2B for the opticaldisc 2A. Here, if audio data is sufficiently stored, an affirmativeresult is obtained at the step SP35, and then the system controller 41proceeds to the step SP36.

Accordingly, the system controller 41 stops the reproducing function atthe step SP36 and after exchanging the optical disc 2A for 2B, recordsthe position information stored in the memory 18 on the optical disc 2B.

Furthermore, when recording of the position information is completed,the system controller 41 chocks the previous optical disc 2A to thespindle motor 3, and then, returns to steps SP31 and SP33 and repeatsthe processing procedure.

According to the construction shown in FIG. 7, by recording the positioninformation in place of audio signal, the position information can berecorded on the different optical disc while continuously reproducingthe audio signal.

Next, other embodiments will be described hereinafter.

Furthermore, the second embodiment has dealt with the case of inputtingdirectly the position information to be outputted from the receiver 42to the memory 18 via the memory controller 17. However, the presentinvention is not only limited to the above, but also it may be inputtedvia the system controller 45 as shown in FIG. 11.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the system controller 45 proceedsfrom the step SP40 to the step SP41, and reproduces audio data from theoptical disc 2A and at the next step SP42, outputs the audio data fromthe memory 22 while storing the audio data in the memory 22.

Furthermore, the system controller 45 judges whether the data volume ofthe memory 22 is over the fixed value or not at the following step SP43,and at this point, if a negative result is obtained, returns to the stepSP41. On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained at thestep SP43, the system controller 45 proceeds to the step SP44 and storesthe position information inputted from the receiver 42 in the memory 18.

Moreover, at the next step SP45, the system controller 45 chocks theoptical disc 2B to the spindle motor 3 in place of the optical disc 2Aand records the position information of the memory 18 on the opticaldisc 2B, and then, chocks the optical disc 2A to the spindle motor 3again and returns to the step SP41.

Accordingly, if the position information is inputted through the systemcontroller 41, the same effect as those of the second embodiment can beobtained.

The second embodiment described above has dealt with the case ofrecording the position information on the optical disc 2B whileoutputting audio signal continuously. However, the present invention isnot only limited to the above but also the position information may berecorded corresponding to the map information on the other optical discwhile outputting continuously the map information recorded on theoptical disc in the form of video signal.

Also, the embodiment discussed above have dealt with the case ofcombining the optical disc 2A being an optical disc for reproductiononly on which the audio data has been recorded and the optical disc 2Bbeing a recordable and reproducible optical disc on which the positioninformation can be recorded. However, this invention is not limited tothis but it can be applicable to the combination of the optical disc 2Abeing an optical disc for reproduction only on which the audio signalhas been recorded and the optical disc 2B being an optical disc forreproduction only on which the position information for navigation hasbeen recorded.

This third embodiment will be described referring to FIGS. 13 and 14.Here, the blocks corresponding to those of FIG. 1 are designated withthe same number.

In FIG. 14, at first, the reproduction signal is reproduced from theoptical disc 2A for reproduction only on which the audio information hasbeen recorded by using the optical head 4 (SP51) and then stored in amemory for audio 39 (SP52).

When the cumulated amount in the memory for audio 39 is over thepredetermined value, the optical pick up 4 is controlled to halt thereproduction, and the optical disc 2A is exchanged for the optical disc2B for navigation (SP53-SP54-SP55).

As the optical disc 2B is loaded in the reproduction position, the mapinformation corresponding to the position information, which is takenfrom the receiver 42, is read out so as to perform image process on theinformation at the image decoder 33, and then taken into the imagememory 36 via the memory controller 37 (SP56-SP57). At the same time,the processed map information is displayed on the display 52.

After the image information is displayed, the reproduction of theoptical disc 2B is halted and the optical disc 2 is exchanged for theoptical disc 2A so as to start the reproduction from the data continuingfrom the last data written in the memory for audio 39 on the opticaldisc 2A (SP58-SP51).

Here, it is assumed that the predetermined value is over the cumulatedamount which is enough for total time, total time being the time forexchanging the optical disc (the time that the time for exchanging theoptical disc 2A for the optical disc 2B and the time for exchanging theoptical disc 2B for the optical disc 2A are added) and the time foraccessing to the predetermined reproduction position (the time that thetime from the starting of reproduction to access to the reproductionposition corresponding to the position information taken from thereceiver 42 and the time from the starting of reproduction to access tothe reproduction position corresponding to the last data taken in thememory for audio 39 are added).

As the application of the third embodiment, an example will bedescribed, in which, as Shown in FIG. 15, two spindle motors (3A, 3B)for rotating discs are provided, so that the optical head 4 is moved bya sled to allow both of the optical discs 2A, 2B to reproduce.Therefore, the time for exchanging can be shorten.

At first, the reproduction signal is reproduced from the optical disc 2Afor reproduction only on which the audio information has been recordedby using the optical head 4 (SP61), and the reproduction signal isstored in the memory for audio 39 (SP62).

When the cumulated amount in the memory for audio 39 is over thepredetermined value, the sled motor is driven and the optical head 4 ismoved so as to reproduce the optical disc 2B for navigation (SP63-SP64).

In the condition that the optical disc 2B is reproducible, the systemcontroller 10 sends the switch signal so as to change the switch 31 from"a" to "b" and the switch 32 from "c" to "d" (SP65).

Then, the map information corresponding to the position informationtaken from the receiver 42 is read out and image processed at the imagedecoder 33, and is taken into the image memory 36 via the memorycontroller 37 (SP66-SP67).

At the same time, the map information image processed is displayed onthe display 52.

After the image information is displayed, the reproduction of theoptical disc 2B is halted and the optical head 4 is moved and controlledso as to reproduce the optical disc 2A by using the sled motor, andsimultaneously, the system controller 10 sends the switch signal tochange the switch 31 from "b" to "a" and the switch 32 "d" to "c"(SP68).

Then, the optical disc 2A is driven again to start the reproduction fromthe data continuing from the data written in the memory for audio 39 onthe optical disc 2A.

Here, the predetermined value needs only the time for moving the opticalhead 4 back and forth between the optical disc 2A and the optical disc2B and the time for start the reproduction, so that the amount forstoring in the memory can be reduced for the exchanging time of disc,and therefore, a large capacity of memory is not necessary and it cancomprise cheaper.

Furthermore, the embodiment described above has dealt with the case ofrecording the prescribed data on the optical disc while outputting thecontinuous reproduction result in utilizing the memory for avoidingtrack jump effectively. However, the present invention is not onlylimited to the above but the function to avoid track jump can beomitted.

Moreover, the embodiment described above has dealt with the case ofapplying three kinds of optical discs to the optical disc device to bereproduced. However, the present invention is not only limited to theabove but also widely applicable to various optical disc devices.

Further, the embodiment described above has dealt with the case wherethe optical disc 2A is a disc for audio only and the optical disc 2B isa disc for navigation. However, this invention is not only limited tothe above but the optical disc 2A can be a disc for audio only and theoptical disc 2B can be a disc for image.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reproducing method for reproducing data from afirst recording medium and a second recording medium by turns,comprising the steps of:reproducing data from the first recordingmedium; storing said reproduced data in a first storage means; readingdata from said first storage means; comparing an amount of dataaccumulated in said first storage means with a predetermined value;halting the data reading from said first recording medium, andsimultaneously exchanging the first recording medium for the secondrecording medium, when the data accumulated in said first storage meansreaches the predetermined value; reproducing data from said secondrecording medium responsive to data input at an external data inputmeans; storing the data reproduced from said second recording medium ina second storage means; and exchanging said second recording medium forsaid first recording medium.
 2. The reproducing method according toclaim 1, wherein:said first storage means and said second storage meansare used in common.
 3. The reproducing method according to claim 1,wherein:said first and said second recording medium are disc typerecording medium.
 4. The reproducing method according to claim 1,wherein:the data inputted from said external data input means isposition information.
 5. The reproducing method according to claim 1,wherein:said first recording medium is a recording medium in which anaudio signal has been recorded, and said second recording medium is arecording medium in which map information has been recorded.
 6. Thereproducing method according to claim 1, wherein:said step of exchangingthe first recording medium for said second recording medium comprisesmoving said reproducing means between said first recording medium andsaid second recording medium.
 7. The reproducing method according toclaim 1, wherein:said step of exchanging the first recording medium forsaid second recording medium comprises moving said reproducing meansbetween said first recording medium and said second recording medium. 8.The reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein:the predeterminedvalue is larger than the sum of the time required to exchange therecording mediums and the time required to drive reproduction.
 9. Thereproducing method according to claim 6, wherein:the predetermined valueis larger than the sum of the time required to move the reproducingmeans between the first recording medium and the second recording mediumand the time required to drive reproduction.
 10. The reproducing methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said step of reproducing data from thefirst recording medium comprises reproducing data at a first rate andsaid step of reading data from said first storage means comprisesreading said data at a second rate slower than said first data rate. 11.An apparatus for reproducing data from first and second recording mediaby turns, comprising:reproducing means for reproducing data from saidfirst recording medium; first storage means for storing the reproduceddata from said first recording medium; first memory control means forwriting the reproduced data from said reproducing means into said firststorage means at a first rate and reading the data stored in said firststorage means at a second rate slower than said first rate; secondstorage means for storing data from a second recording medium; secondmemory control means for writing the data from said second recordingmedium into said second storage means at a third rated and reading saiddata stored in second storage means at a fourth rate slower than saidthird rate; comparing means for comparing an amount of data accumulatedin first storage means with a predetermined value; third control meansfor halting the reproducing from said first recording medium andcommencing the reproducing from said second medium when said dataaccumulated in said first storage means reaches said predeterminedvalue.
 12. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein saidfirst and second recording media are disk type recording media.
 13. Thereproducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said reproducingmeans comprises an optical pickup.
 14. The reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein said first recording medium is arecording medium in which an audio signal has been recorded and saidsecond recording medium is a recording medium in which map informationhas been recorded.
 15. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 11,wherein said third control means comprises means for moving saidreproducing means between said first and second recording media.
 16. Thereproducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said predeterminedvalue corresponds to a number of memory spaces in said first storagemeans for which the time required to read said data out of said numberof storage spaces at said second rate is greater than the sum of thetime required to exchange the recording media and the time required todrive reproduction.
 17. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 15,wherein said predetermined value corresponds to a number of memoryspaces in said first storage means for which the time required to readsaid data out of said number of storage spaces at said second rate isgreater than the sum of the time required to move the reproducing meansbetween the first and second recording media and the time required todrive reproduction.